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A lot is going on with the San Francisco 49ers. From key injuries to selling off shares of the team, the 49ers are never boring. Despite the many injuries, though, San Francisco is 5-2, with a chance to improve its record and stay atop the NFC West. But first, they’ll have to find a way to win a tough road game against the Houston Texans.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag and found some great questions waiting to be answered. Let’s jump in and see what’s on your mind.
Oof, just saw the news about Huff. And our remaining DEs don’t exactly inspire confidence. Will this add some desperation for the FO to swing a trade? – Andy G.
If you believe Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, Bryce Huff‘s injury does not make them more desperate or change their mindset moving forward. I think they will swing a trade for a defensive end. I just don’t expect it to be a big name, but rather a rotational piece. Do I think they should trade for a big-name starter? Yes. Do I think they will? No.
When do you think Brock Purdy will return to the field? – Dave B.
There have been conflicting reports regarding Brock Purdy‘s recovery from turf toe. One report will say he’s making progress, and then another will suggest he’s not coming along as quickly as everyone had hoped. This makes it difficult to know how long Purdy will be out.
The positive news is that Purdy practiced three days in a row this week and is traveling with the team to Houston. The 49ers signal-caller has been ruled out for Sunday, but it is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. Next week, the 49ers will travel to play the New York Jets. I doubt the 49ers will want Purdy testing that toe on that terrible turf, so I’m going to predict he will return to action during the next home game against the Los Angeles Rams.
With Huff out for several weeks, who’s the next man up? – Justin
Can I interest you in some Robert Beal, Jr. stock? Or how about some Trevis Gipson? Those are a couple of names the team may be counting on, with Sam Okuayinonu being the 49ers’ top edge rusher. Beal, Jr. was promoted to the active roster this week. Gipson was re-signed to the practice squad after being released.
Of course, the 49ers also have rookie Mykel Williams and William Bradley-King. Yetur Gross-Matos has already been listed out for this week. The cupboard is a little bare, but Robert Saleh will need to find a way to put some pressure on the quarterback.
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 4, but any chance Lynch pulls the trigger quickly, considering the news of Huff’s injury after having such a tremendous impact in beating the Falcons? – Tim R.
I doubt it. As I mentioned earlier, the 49ers seem content to wait for Huff to return. Lynch even said as much this week when he was a guest on KNBR.
“But we’ve got plenty in this building,” Lynch said. “Bryce has been a big part of what we do, played a fantastic game. Unfortunately, it was like the second-to-last play of that game where he got his hammy, and he’s just going to be out a couple of games, is kind of what it’s looking like right now.
“We’ll hold down the fort until then. And with respect, I’ve spoken at great length on the other stuff. If it can help our team, we won’t hesitate to do it, but nothing has presented itself that has aligned completely, to this point.”
Does Jake Brendel become the Wally Pip of the NFL with Matt Hennessy playing the next few games, or does he get his job back? – CG Ruthless
We’ll have to see how Matt Hennessy plays while Jake Brendel is out. He played well against the Falcons, but Houston will be a bigger test. It will take a lot, however, for Hennessy to replace Brendel. OL coach Chris Foerster loves Brendel and is known for sticking with his guys.
Sorry, 49ers fans, but you’re stuck with Brendel for at least the rest of this season.
Aiyuk went from…might be back by week 4 (summer working out on a side field) to never heard from again. What’s up with that? – Bones E.
It was never realistic for Brandon Aiyuk to return before November. So it’s not terribly surprising that it’s been mostly quiet on the Aiyuk front.
But there was some good news regarding the wide receiver late this week. Shanahan suggested the team could potentially open Aiyuk’s practice window next week. That doesn’t mean he’ll play anytime soon, but it is progress.
“Yeah, I believe he’s getting a lot closer,” Shanahan said. “It could [happen next week]. I think we’re week-to-week now, so hopefully, it will be sooner than later.”
Is Christian McCaffrey more valuable to the 49ers this season as a running back or receiver? – Ed H.
Christian McCaffrey is valuable to the 49ers as a running back and a receiver. But it’s the fact that he can do both that makes him so valuable. What McCaffrey does as a rusher is elite, but what he does out of the backfield, as a receiver, is what makes him so special and dangerous.
Bill Walsh used Roger Craig the same way, with the added dimension of receiving, which set him apart. Mike Shanahan did the same with Ricky Watters. I remember thinking in 1994 that Watters was a good running back, but that his receiving skills were a mismatch for defenses.
McCaffrey is the same way. He is on another level when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield.
Can you pinpoint what changes Kyle made to get CMC going in the run game? It was night and day! And do you think Hennessy is the answer at C for the rest of the season? He sure seemed more physical than Brendel. – Andy G.
It was a variety of things that led to the success on the ground against Atlanta. First, Shanahan tweaked his approach some, going with more of a power attack because he was facing a smaller defensive front.
Second, the Falcons are bad against the run. The 49ers took advantage of that. And third, George Kittle returned. He made a noticeable difference in the run game.
A lot of people believe the rushing attack looked better after Hennessy replaced Brendel, but Brendel was playing well, and the 49ers were running the ball before his injury.
What is with all these hamstrings and calves? Do we need a new strength and conditioning coach? – Lowbridge
Something needs to change. Many injuries are unavoidable. But some are preventable. The 49ers aren’t the only team with soft tissue injuries, but it seems like they have more of them than anyone else. I wish I knew what the answer is. I expect there to be some kind of change in the offseason. The 49ers can’t continue being the NFL’s most injured team year after year.
That’s all we have for this week’s edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We’ll be back with a new one next week.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
There have been conflicting reports regarding Brock Purdy’s return timeline as he continues to recover from a lingering toe injury. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback initially suffered the injury in Week 1, briefly returned in Week 4, but experienced a setback that has kept…
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